#gold work

Disclaimer: I have no idea about the accuracy of the information shared in the drama, I'm merely transcribing for future reference purposes. Proceed with caution!

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Ep 1: Filigree Inlay

One of Eight Beijing Imperial Handicrafts, it's a traditional Chinese craft to deal with fine gold that has been passed down for over 2000 years. It originated from metal inlay of bronze casting technology as early as in pre-Imperial China. It dates far back to Spring and Autumn period and Warring States period, peaking in Ming and Qing dynasties with exquisite craftsmanship, aesthetic pursuit and sumptuous styles.

It uses gold threads and slices to decorate utilitarian objects such as bronzeware and weapons. With the development in the Sui, Tang, Song and Yuan dynasties, Filigree Inlay was increasingly applied in jewellery making.

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The terms Filigree Inlay refers to weaving gold thread into jewel and inlaying with different jewels, starting with Thread Drawing, Shaping, Laying and then Filling.

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Gold Chalice of Eternal Stability

In the second year of Jiaqing, it was made in a workshop of the Internal Affairs Department of the Qing Dynasty. Carved with Baoxing flower patterns, with pearls, rubies and sapphires on the stamens. On every New Year's eve, the court would hold Kaibi ceremony to celebrate children's first day at school. This was the drinking vessel for emperor's praying.

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Ming Dynasty Empress's Crown

Inlaid with thousands of pearls and hundreds of natural gems. Besides Filigree Inlay, Tian-tsui craft was also used in a complicated pattern.

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Ming Dynasty Gold Thread Imperial Crown with Wings

Unearthed from Emperor Wanli's tomb and now stored in Dingling museum, all the weaved parts have no joints or fractures to be seen. The remarkable consistency makes it the representative artwork of Filigree Inlay craft. 518 gold threads were used in the original work with the thinnest threads being less than 0.2 mm wide, many masters attempted to replicate it but with a much higher numbers of threads.

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Ugo Rondinone. Monday, 2012.

My first gold work!

Pros: Not a bad first try.

Cons: The dragonfly looks like he has gained sentience and doesn't like it much.

Disclaimer: I have no idea about the accuracy of the information shared in the drama, I'm merely transcribing for future reference purposes. Proceed with caution!

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Ep 2: Filigree Inlay Cont. And other Misc.

Empress Dowager Cixi's Gold painted Assorted Comb Set

From lacquer cases in Warring States period to modern dressing tables and jewelry boxes, women used mirror cases to store jewelries and cosmetics.

A rectangular comb to smooth the tangled hair. A middle sized crescent comb for the exquisite swallow-tail bun. 8-shaped small comb to gently smooth out hair on the temples and hair ends. Double-edged, fine-toothed Bizi comb to smooth meridians and remove stains in the hair. A brush for oiling. Tian-tsui hairpins made by Kingfisher feathers and gold wires inlaid with jewels. Finally, a Dalachi headpiece secured on the top of the head, decorated by flowers and pins.

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Song Dynasty Ruiguang Pagoda Pillar

Found in 1978, diameter of crystal ball on top is 3.4 cm with flame shaped silver wires wrapped on both sides around gold lettering saying Namo Maha Prajna Paramita. More than 40000 pieces of pearls are used on the pillar, integrated with several other crafts such as wood engraving, gold painting, jade carving and beading.

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